Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-06-15
Fred Dorsey's Mistake.
BY BEN. R. ATCHERLEY.

L Wnc = SlCttl dLulO UluC, bAC Gun w 40 oiiii
ing Through the leafless branches of th
| trees in such manner as to make even tn
crowded city streets look cheerful and il
viting.
Such mornings as these are calculated
create within the breasts of the most worlG
lya desire to leave behind them for Will
the noise and turmoil of the streets and th
thousand and one different scenes of barte
and trade which are 30 familiar to city life
to go far away from it all, and in som
quiet woodland place spend few dream
days face to face with nature. =.
So thought Fred Dorsey, as he f1nishe'
his late breakfast and lit well-favore,
cigar. The apartment was very pleasan
one, despite its rather untidy appearance
and denoted the luxurious tastes of its oc
cupant. He was lying at full length on
lounge, handsome young man of twenty
five. But as he watched the curling wreath
of smoke as they. assembled to the ceiling
his expression was one Of disgust; hi
thoughts were evidently not of pleasan
nature
For five years Fred Dorsey had lived
life of fashionable dissipation. At TIE ag
OF twenty, when he had begun the study o
law, his youthful brain was filled will
visions Of future fame and greatness. Blu
by the death of a relative he was left il
possession of fortune large enough t,
make the pursuit Of his profession no long
er necessary as means of livelihood. A
time passed he began to slight his oil
friends, Blackstone and Kent, and driftet
into life of pleasure.
+ This was all very well for a time bu
one day he found that he was living beyond
his income. Something must be done b,
could not go on as before.
While he was trying to think of way
cut of his difficulty, knock sounded OF
the door. He raised himself partially OF
his elbow, and called
"Come in %
The door opened and servant entered
e'Here is letter for you, Mr.. Dorsey"
Fred took the letter, and the girl with
drew. AS he read, his face gradually as
sumed an expression of great surprise. 1t
contents were as follows
"MY DEAR NEPHEW. Doubtless yor
will be surprised when you receive this
When last l saw you, you were bat child
My object in writing now is to ask you tt
come down for a month or so, as l feel tina
would like to became better acquainted
with my dead sisters son.
''Perhaps after the life of gayety yor
have led you will find US dull companions
But should you conclude to visit us, botf
Blanche and l will do our utmost to make
YOUR visit an enjoyable one."
"Believe me your affectionate aunt,
"MARY SANFORD"
'By Jove! Who would have thought it?'
the young man exclaimed, as he threw the
letter on the table. ''That is not bac
idea. Aunt Mary, I'll accept your invita-
tion. A few weeks of fresh country all
will do me good, and perhaps enable me te
make some arrangements for the future"
That evening Fred's landlady received a
note informing her that Mr.. Dorsey was
called out of the city on matter of bust
ness, and weuld be absent for a month OF
six weeks.
Browns Station, as it is called, presents
by no means a prepossessing view to the
eye of the traveller whose misfortune it is
to be landed on its dirty little platform
Few trains stop there; but this morning
the eastern express, contrary to its usual
custom, came to a standstill before the
place. The three OF four loungers who
were sitting in various attitudes on trunks
and boxes were startled into curiosity al
the sight of a tall young man who had
alighted from the train-none other than
our friend Dorsey.
After looking around for moment, he
walked over to where man who appeared
to be the station -mastet, baggage-man and
porter all in one, was moving trunk, and
asked,-
.sIs there any one here from Elmwood?''
The other looked at him moment, and
said -.-
care you the young gentleman Miss San
ford was expecting?"
EYES, replied Fred.
"She thought you would be here on the
early morning train, andewhen it didn't stoI
she concluded you would not come till to-
morrow, SIR"
"Well, am sorry to have put Miss San.
ford to needless trouble; it is not far to Elm
wood, and | shall enjoy the walk
So, after giving the man instructions con.
corning his baggage, Fred started on his
way.
The distance to Elmwood was about two
miles. To the young man, whose life has
been spent in the city, the walk through
the green country fields was very pleasant
one. In half an hour be had almost reach
ed his destination.
The house was allow, rambling structure,
with veranda extending clear across its
front, style Of architecture very common
in country houses. 1t stood ON q slight
elevation, in the centre of welLkept lawn
which formed gradual slope on either
side. The place Immediately impressed
Que with an air of comfort.
Miss Sanford, sole owner of the pretty
home, greeted the young gentleman with
great warmth and cordiality.
''Why, my dear boy" she exclaimed
after they had bsen seated some minutes
in the cozy little sitting room, show yor
have changed! 1t hardly seems possible tha
this tall young man before me was once tht
small lad who wrought such havoc among
the good things in my pantry"
Fred smiled, and the conversation
changed from one thing to another until a
last it was interrupted by the opening o
the door. Turning his glance toward thi
intruder, Fred was startled by the vision o
loneliness which met his eyes, The beau
tiful face framed in mass of dark browl
hair, the delicate coloring and great blacl
eyes, formed picture marvellous in it
loveliness.
"Come in, Blanche, and let me introduc
my nephew. Fred, this is Miss Langdon
MY companion"
The young girl advanced with an easy
graceful tread and put out her hand.
"Welcome to Elmwood, Mr. Dorsey
Your aunt has spoken of you SO often tina
| feel as if we were quite old friends"
Fred expressed his pleasure at the meet
ing, and they glided into an easy converse
tion, and before luncheon were very wei
acquainted. Blanche Langdon had no al
tificial or affected ways. All her move
ments were free and full of grace. Sh
was bright and vivacious, and seemed to
tally unconcious of her wondrous beauty.
That afternoon they took long walk il
the fields. Fred had never been yer
ardent admirer of the pastoral, but, thi
charming girl by his side, it seemed to hir
that countrydif was not such bad affai
after all. ~.
The evening passed off very quickly. I
addition to her many charms, Miss Lang
| don was the possessor of perfect voice
| and when, after dinner, she had been aske
to sing, she did so in such manner as t
increase greatly the admiration which th
young man felt.
| When Fred went to his room that night
the picture of his past life was before hin
| There had been a day when he had though
it very pleasant one, but, after this eyel
ing spent SO quietly, yet SO enjoyably, th
/ Dagt vaarc ceonad lilo, 60 much xuocf a